Thursday, March 14, 2013

Have you ever been in your car when someone passed you at a
high rate of speed? Usually, the car disappears and you never see it again.
That wasn’t the case yesterday morning for TSA Tampa International Airport Deputy
Assistant Federal Security Director Jim Flaherty. A few minutes after a car
sped past him, Jim saw the car again, but this time it was stationary. It had
crashed into the woods and was on fire.

Jim and another passerby parked their cars and ran to the
automobile to assist the driver. The driver’s side door was wedged against a
tree and the driver was screaming that her leg was broken. They needed to act
fast, so Jim – a 20-year veteran
NYC police detective and a U.S. Army Veteran along with the passerby ran to the
passenger’s side to free the woman’s leg and pull her from the car. Like a
scene out of Hollywood blockbuster, the car was completely engulfed in flames after they carried her away.

DAFSD Jim Flaherty

The local fire department and the Hillsborough County
Sheriff’s Office responded shortly after and the young woman was airlifted from
the scene to a local hospital.

Jim reported directly to work afterwards with blood and mud
stains on his clothes.

This isn’t the first time a TSA employee has stepped up in
an emergency and it won’t be the last, but we wanted to highlight this
incredible story today on the blog and acknowledge Jim’s courageous actions
which no doubt saved this woman’s life.

I solute Mr. Jim Flaherty for his civilian act and also for his time while serving in the US Army. The life of this lady continues because of the heroic act performed by he and the other man. Thank you both for pulling her to safety.

A few days ago, I witnessed a high-speed crash, called 9/11, and helped pull the three human victims and one canine one from the wreckage. Where's my "TSA critic saves three!" headline? Or at least "TSA critic saves dog!" one ;)

IOW, what Mr. Flaherty did was commendable, but has absolutely, positively, no relevance to the TSA at all and deserves no more space than my non-TSA-related deeds do.

Quote;"RB said... I guess it is remarkable that a TSA employee took time out to help a person in distress.

Notice TSA didn't bother to find out the name of the other citizen involved.

March 14, 2013 at 12:39 PM"-------------------RB you are so right. The AFSD should have stopped in the middle of his life saving to introduce himself and get the other man's name before they pulled the victim out. Maybe the other person didn't want to be identified? With you it's always about what TSA did wrong. How about just appreciateing that someone's life was saved and complain on another post. Or, read some good fiction than post it here as fact as you have done in the past.

Highlighting the selfless acts that one TSA employee volunteered does not mean that all TSA employees are selfless. Jim Flaherty is a model citizen and should be a model TSA employee on the job as well; until TSA starts acting as the service organization it is, I am not willing to see this as anything other than an "isolated incident."

Anonymous said...Quote;"RB said... I guess it is remarkable that a TSA employee took time out to help a person in distress.

Notice TSA didn't bother to find out the name of the other citizen involved.

March 14, 2013 at 12:39 PM"-------------------RB you are so right. The AFSD should have stopped in the middle of his life saving to introduce himself and get the other man's name before they pulled the victim out. Maybe the other person didn't want to be identified? With you it's always about what TSA did wrong. How about just appreciateing that someone's life was saved and complain on another post. Or, read some good fiction than post it here as fact as you have done in the past.

March 14, 2013 at 2:44 PM................

You demonstrate the typical limited thinking of TSA.

Before writing the article TSA could have reached out to police or fire officials to obtain the persons name. Yes, that person may not have been identified but that in itself could have been revealed.

But no, TSA is so starved for anything positive a rush to get a story our is more important than having all of the available details.

I'm not suggesting that rendering aid is not note worthy. It is , but it is also something that any good citizen should do.

Instead of these page fillers why doesn't TSA discuss why TSA employees can't be trained that photography is not against the law?

Why doesn't TSA address why TSA employees continue to assault and abuse people who have done nothing more than buy a ticket to fly on an airplane?

Why doesn't TSA discuss how TSA and airport employees have secure area access without ever having a background check?

Finally, why won't TSA discuss how this blog is suppose to be full of dialog yet is nothing more than a TSA propaganda outlet?

So much negative people who don't appreciate the goodness of this man saving a life! Would you care if u were trap in a burning car that TSA guy saved you? Or would you die because you hate TSA that much? Grow up people

Wintermute sez - "A few days ago, I witnessed a high-speed crash, called 9/11, and helped pull the three human victims and one canine one from the wreckage. Where's my "TSA critic saves three!" headline? Or at least "TSA critic saves dog!" one ;)"

"TSA CRITIC HELPS SAVE 3 PEOPLE AND ONE CANINE FROM AUTO WRECKAGE!"

Wintermute, I would like to commend you for your part in saving those folks and the furry family member. Thank you for taking the time to do something that some people would simply ride by and ignore. This is given with no sarcasm intended at all, and with heartfelt thanks.

(I know that is not the headline you may have wanted, but it is the one that I can give you!)

However... If I was Mr Flaherty, I would be rather upset that the TSA is trying to cash-in on my heroic actions. This is a win for Mr. Flaherty, and is completely separate from the TSA. If Mr Flaherty worked for the local grocery I doubt we would be seeing Publix try and take credit for his actions.

My two cents even if the two pennies are getting kind of dull with use.